International medical graduates guide to the MLA (Part 2)

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Written by Yousef Kamal; reviewed by DR. Tamer El Nakhal, edited by Majed Jaber

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Preparing

The MLA content map will tell you more about the topics and areas that your AKT and CPSA assessments could cover – we will talk about this in our upcoming articles. In the future, they will provide sample questions for the AKT so that you can understand the format of the test.

Costs

As you do now for the PLAB test, as an international medical graduate, you’ll need to pay a fee to take the MLA. The fees will be regularly reviewed, so the exact cost may change in the future.

Resitting the MLA

If you fail the MLA, you’ll have to take the assessment again before you can apply for registration with a license to practice medicine in the UK.
They expect to set a maximum number of times you may attempt the MLA. They’re considering the exact number and will make sure there is a fair and robust appeals system in place.

English language requirements 

The MLA won’t change their English language requirements for registration. You’ll still need to prove that you have the necessary knowledge of English to practice safely in the UK.

The article below explains what happens if a doctor has just finished one or both parts of the PLAB test when the MLA is introduced.

Passed both parts of the PLAB test 

This won’t change – the same as now, you will have up to two years to apply to us for registration with a license to practice from the date that you passed PLAB part 2.

Passed PLAB 1 but not attempted PLAB 2 

Provided you passed PLAB 1 less than two years ago, you won’t need to take the MLA applied knowledge test (AKT). Instead of PLAB 2, you will be able to take the MLA clinical and professional skills assessment (CPSA).

When you pass the CPSA, you’ll be able to apply for registration with a license to practice. You will need to apply within two years of passing the CPSA.

ATTEMPTED PLAB 1 BUT NOT PASS IT

You will be able to sit the MLA applied knowledge test. There will be a maximum number of attempts and any previous attempts at PLAB 1 will count towards the maximum number. They’re finalizing that maximum number and will let you know as soon as we can.
When you pass the AKT, you will need to take the clinical and professional skills assessment within two years.

Passed PLAB 1 and attempted PLAB 2, but not passed 

Provided you passed PLAB 1 less than two years ago, you won’t need to take the MLA AKT.

You will be able to take the MLA CPSA. There will be a maximum number of attempts and any previous attempts at PLAB 2 will count towards the maximum number. They’re finalizing that maximum number and will let you know as soon as we can.
When you pass the CPSA, you’ll be able to apply for registration with a license to practice. You will need to apply within two years of passing the CPSA.

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